The translation workshop LitTransformer in Lviv: open call 2019

27 March 2019, 12:1946

The translation workshop LitTransformer will take place in Lviv, Ukraine, in July 8-18, 2019.

The literary translation workshop LitTransformer sets out to create an engaging cross-cultural environment where participants are encouraged to translate literary writings that represent their literary tradition and the contemporary context in which they work.

For 10 days, you will have an opportunity to collaborate with other participants from UNESCO Cities of Literature and work with professional and emerging translators under the guidance of Aron Aji, the Director of MFA in Literary Translation at the University of Iowa, the largest program of its kind in the United States. The participants will also benefit from a supportive and stimulating environment provided by the translation faculty members at Ivan Franko National University, who will be committed to individualized mentoring and sharing their expertise in translation.
The program of the workshop is versatile and intensive, as it combines in its all-day schedule keynote lectures, discussion panels and group sessions. The participants will be given time and space to work in smaller groups, in pairs or on their own, depending on the needs. Daily discussions focused on the work in progress will enable groups to explore the spectrum of problems each literary text has posed, as well as the broader issues of literary translation practice. The program will also offer a multitude of opportunities for networking with publishers, agents and one another.

Outcomes and Publication

LitTransformer hopes to generate a fascinating number of new translations from different contemporary literatures, empowering experience for the participants and a productive network of contacts for further cooperation and partnerships. Also planned is a multilingual publication of translations produced during the workshop, which will manifest the role of cultural diversity and linguistic hospitality in this world achieved by and through translation.

Eligibility

The literary translation workshop LitTransformer is open to two groups:

(1) active advanced translators and university professors and lecturers in translation with relevant practical experience, as well as

(2) young emerging literary translators, professionals or recent graduates of university programs in translation or translation studies who will enormously benefit from the collaboration with advanced translators.

The eligible applicants should meet the following language requirements:

- a mother tongue or near-native competence of the language other than English;

- advanced or proficient level of English

As a supplement to the application, participants will be asked to provide a contemporary short story of their choice written in their language (maximum 7 pages) that would be included into the agenda of the workshop and thus will get translated into other languages of the workshop.

It is important to note that before arriving in Lviv the selected participants will be requested to prepare a working draft of the literal translation into English of the story they select and send it by email to the organizers, since it would facilitate the actual translation practice in the framework of the workshop (obviously, it will be still proofread during the first days of the event).

Application

LitTransformer will host up to two participants, one advanced and one emerging literary translator, from each UNESCO City of Literature.

A completed application should consist of the following materials (each saved separately in a pdf file):

“Lviv – UNESCO City of Literature” office will cover the accommodation and three meals a day, as well as light refreshments with coffee during the workshop breaks. The transportation costs should be arranged on your own. The organization committee can provide you with information or advice on the best travel itineraries to Lviv.

The organizers will also arrange an interesting cultural program for the participants to give an authentic taste of Lviv.
In case of any questions, please email the organization committee at creative.city.lviv@gmail.com.